Buying cheap cars

[Kong]

Any tips on buying a cheap car?

I am looking for something local - Asheville, NC - around $500. I figure worst case scenario if it completely breaks down I can sell it for scrap and get most of my money back.

Craigslist is the only place I know to look. Any other suggestions?

I am trying to find something that Official Kelley Blue Book New & Used Car Values - Kelley Blue Book says is worth several times more than what I pay.

Any danger signs I should look for when checking the car out?

I kind of need something within the next 7 days.

[D.B. Cooper]

You might try an auction.

[joz]

Go around town and look for a car that looks like it could be worth five bills and go knock on the door and make an offer. That's how I sold both of my cars. Some random person just came up to me and asked. As far as looking out for stuff...well you're getting what you paid for. If it starts and moves from place to place then you're off to a good start. So long as it doesn't smoke or shake violently, then 500 is not bad for a moving vehicle. The last car I bought was a '94 mustang. The door didn't open and it would always get wet from the inside when it rained. But it got me to work for about a year and a half. I got it for 400 and sold it for 300. I'd say I got a great deal from that buy.

[Kugyince]

@Kong: Don't forget sales tax, registration, title transfer, and insurance costs.

[Kong]

Originally Posted by Tenser

@Kong: Don't forget sales tax, registration, title transfer, and insurance costs.

Insurance will be about $30. How much is that other government crap?

[KATZ]

for tax tag and title to my dodge truck costed 183$ but i'm also located in florida

and as for the car itself, yes just check on craigslist, thats where i buy all of my cars (as some know i have 3 right now)

[Kugyince]

@Kong: Depends on the state you live in. In NY I think it's $35 for plates, $15 for the title transfer, and 8.25% for tax. You'd be looking at just under $600 plus insurance.

I could be wrong though as I usually go through dealerships.

[Kong]

I was hoping someone would have a better website than Craigslist. But I guess that is the best.

I've also looked on ebay but haven't had much luck. That is where I got my RV.

Good news is when I posted this I thought I needed a car by this weekend but I have until next. I think I can find something. I found a great deal yesterday but it was already sold by the time I called.

---------- Post added 06-10-2012 at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was 06-07-2012 at 02:51 PM ----------

Anyone that knows anything about cars have an opinion on these?

97 Camaro $750 - Been listed for a while and they say they are flexible on the price.

1986 FIAT BERTONE X1/9

1991 Nissan Sentra

1984 BMW 950 obo

Jeep Grand Cherokee

[warghoul]

The Nissan is probably your best bet, but that's not saying much.

[joz]

I'd go with the Nissan or Jeep.

[Slime Slayer]

Lyssa sounds like a winner.

[KATZ]

if you get the camaro i can help you with any problem you get, i had a 98 camaro

[warghoul]

IT is true KATZ has over 726 cars. You should listen to her over anyone.

[KATZ]

HAHAHA i only have 3 :P

[Kong]

You all recommended different cars.

The Nissan is gone.

The others wont come down on their price so the 97 Camaro is the only option above.

Any opinions on these?

98 cadi
98 Chevy Lumina

[StarfoxFan2009]

i'd go with the Lumina.

[KATZ]

of those two i agree with SFF get the lumina, caddys are notorious for everything breaking the higher you get in milege, and you get better gas milege with the loomy

[RU Joe]

Kong:

Any danger signs I should look for when checking the car out?

1. Duct tape anywhere on the car.
2. Rodents.
3. The price suddenly drops as the cops pass by.

Seriously though,

LISTEN:
Just listen to the engine and other sounds of the car while it's driving down the street.

FEEL:
Vibrations while driving could mean the wheel alignment is off but it could also mean something wrong with the transmission.

SMELL:
The smell of the exhaust can tell you whether the air and oil filters and spark plugs are in good shape and have been changed regularly - and the important thing there is if they aren't in good shape and {for example} the car smells like the gas is pouring directly out the tailpipe unburned, chances are the spark plugs have never been changed or cleaned.
If that's the case then you should wonder about the condition of the engine if its been run dirty for any length of time.

[KATZ]

Originally Posted by RU Joe

1. Duct tape anywhere on the car.

and bubblegum (i have found some before)

[Kong]

The problem is the lumina is over an hour away. The caddi is 5 minutes away.

[warghoul]

Cadillacs aren't known to be real reliable, and they're real expensive to fix, and get horrible gas millage. I know cause I have one.

[Slime Slayer]

What excatly are you trying to accomplish here Kong? If you just need it for a weekend then anything that runs should do the trick.

[warghoul]

If you just need it for a weekend rent one. It's cheap, reliable, and there is no long term responsibility that comes with owning a motor vehicle.

[joz]

Originally Posted by Kong

The problem is the lumina is over an hour away.

Are you walking to get to the car?

[Kong]

I'm hoping to get this.
Taurus 1992
$300 and runs good.
I just hope I am the first to get to it.

Originally Posted by stevencassidy13

What excatly are you trying to accomplish here Kong?

I'm going to start a new thread for that.

If you just need it for a weekend rent one. It's cheap, reliable, and there is no long term responsibility that comes with owning a motor vehicle.

I live on east coast - NC. My license is from west coast - CA. My license was stolen and it is hard to replace it so I haven't yet so renting isn't an option.

Are you walking to get to the car?

Borrowing a car.